The New England Pilgrims might have raised an eyebrow to this kicked up non-traditional recipe for acorn squash spiked with mild green chiles. But what did they know? As H.L. Mencken quipped, Puritanism was the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.

A quinoa salad side dish with pears, chick peas and maple.

If you're looking for a fresh idea to liven up your Thanksgiving table, Babycakes, this quinoa recipe is for you. Light, vegan, and packed with protein, this is no ordinary side dish. And did I mention, in a bowl licking maple vinaigrette? Studded with nutty, buttery chick peas and crunchy toasted pecans and succulent jewels of ripe, juicy pears, this is quinoa worthy of a holiday.

Maple roasted acorn squash. Classic.

My first Thanksgiving side dish way back when, in the old school days, cooking in my twenties, was this simple, easy roasted acorn squash. Pure maple syrup makes all the difference.

Red quinoa side dish with butternut squash and cranberries.

This is the go to side dish recipe if you want to shake up tradition and wow your guests. It is drop dead stunning. Colorful. Flavorful. Different. Not your average Thanksgiving squash or stuffing offering. Make it ahead and taste test on the big day to adjust seasonings. Reheat the quinoa and squash in a covered casserole dish till warmed through. (Warning: Your vegan guests will fall in love with you.)

Cornbread stuffing and maple roasted acorn squash.

In case you were snoozing and missed this cornbread stuffing recipe, I'm including it here. Make it as moist as you like. Serve it in roasted acorn squash halves, or pile it all into a casserole dish. It's all good.

Cranberry applesauce. Kid-friendly. Mighty tasty.

Add vivid ruby color and a sweet-tart kick to your Thanksgiving plate with this gently tangy and sweet applesauce. Very kid-friendly- it doesn't have the texture issue of those pesky whole cranberries.

Sweet Potato + Gold Potato Salad.

No doubt about it, people do like their mashed potatoes and gravy, but. You know me. I like to change things up. I crave potato salad for Thanksgiving. Especially this one, featuring sweet potatoes and Yukon golds. The red onion gives the sweet potato a kick in the pants (just say no to mini marshmallows). Serve it warm or chilled.

Sweet Potato Cornbread- Gluten-Free

Cornbread is a classic bread to serve with Thanksgiving fare. This one is special. Not only is it gluten-free, it is made with sweet potato puree, giving it a rich, tender texture that is moist and downright fabulous. They will ask you for the recipe.

Pomegranate Glazed Green Beans

This simple green bean side dish cozies up to a lot of Thanksgiving flavors. I used Trader Joe's pomegranate glaze as a base for the easy sauce. It's lip smacking good. So ditch the canned Cream of Mushroom Soup and shake things up a bit. These green beans are fresh, tart, and lively, with a tang that wakes up your taste buds.

Gluten-free zucchini bread. Yes, please.

Gotta have bread. Yeah, it's not technically a side dish, but. Who's keeping score? A slice of this tender zucchini bread makes a Thanksgiving plate just that much more special. And you get to show off a little bit. Because folks will ask you, incredulous, This is gluten-free? Really? And you get to say, Yep. Gluten-free, Baby.

Gluten-free baked macaroni and cheese.

Baked mac and cheese. It's a Pilgrim tradition, right? This gluten-free macaroni and cheese recipe is based on my pre-celiac go-to cheesy mac favorite with cheddar cheese. I kicked it up with chopped jalapeños and crunchy gluten-free bread crumbs and dressed it up all pretty with halved sweet grape tomatoes.

Calabasitas makes an easy, crowd pleasing side dish.

Feeding a lot of people can feel intimidating. Here's an easy side dish to help get you through. Zucchini and sweet corn and tomatoes co-mingle with green chiles. It's the New Mexico version of succotash. Make it as mild or as spicy as you like.

Cole slaw worthy of Thanksgiving.

Traditional cole slaw is heavy with mayo and in truth, a tad old school. Ho-hum. So why not dress it up with a fresh peanut dressing? You don't even have to mention the change to your guests. Just serve it. Their taste buds will thank you. And thanks is what Thanksgiving is all about, right?

This Pinon Rice Bake is gluten-free delicious.

Rice is often considered yawn worthy. We celiacs get served rice more than other dish, after all. Next to potatoes. It's safe. It's easy. And it's bland. So why am I including a rice recipe for your holiday menu? Because, Darling Baby, this is not yawn worthy. Or bland. It's full of subtle flavor and texture and goes perfectly with Thanksgiving squashes and gravies and the ubiquitous roasted bird. Unless you're vegan. Then forget I mentioned the dead bird. {We don't eat bird, either.}